Equilibrioception (aka Seasickness)
How to avoid seasickness to become a better man….uh, fisherman. The sad truth is that seasickness prevents many people from getting on the water. Most people do nothing about it since they merely accept it as something they can’t change, but there are things you can do about it. Nearly all people experience motion sickness if given a strong enough motion stimuli. In typical conditions, such as on cruise ships, the prevalence ranges from 3-60%, depending on what you happen to be reading. It happens to many of us, but here are a few things you can do to help prevent or minimize your symptoms and enjoy your time on the water.
1. EAT
Eat a large/filling meal before you head to the boat. In most cases, a person with an empty stomach will experience more nausea and sickness than a person who eats about an hour before leaving the dock. One should fill up on carbohydrates and avoid greasy and acidic foods.
2. DRINK
Not alcohol, though. Ideally, one should avoid alcohol or other diuretics the night before since dehydration can exacerbate symptoms. Sip on a bottle of water while on the boat. This will also help you feel full.
3. MEDICATE
When eating and drinking won’t cut it, try medication. There are plenty of over-the-counter medications that will help a person cope with the boat ride. Dramamine is the most popular medication and comes in both pills and patches.
When taking pills, one must remember to start taking them the night before. When you do this, the medicine will work before you get symptoms and should prevent issues even in the roughest seas.
4. STAY STILL
Many make the mistake of moving around on the boat. By not sitting still and focusing on a stationary target you will aggravate potential or existing sickness. Hold still and sit or stand in the center of the vessel. Yeah, right. Easier said than done with diesel fumes and other disgusting odors, like chum or teasers permeating your airspace. Avoid sitting near the engine and try to sit on the bow if possible, and focus on a stationary target (typically land or something on the horizon).
5. GINGER
Not the sexy redhead from Gilligan’s Island, but the plant in any form – Ale, Candy, plain root ginger or supplements. Ginger has been used for a millennia to soothe a confused stomach.
With a few simple steps, you can hopefully get back out on the water, or finally take that offshore trip you’ve been dreaming of!
I found the best way around “sea chumming” is to take a Dramamine with dinner the night before fishing, then one with breakfast the morning before going out on the boat to fish! I have all my land lubber friends follow with that plan, and never have I had my friends blow their beets on a trip out. The Dramamine is already in their system when we leave the dock.